Canada to Greenland (Sea Adventurer) 2017

Days

13

Price from

$11,400AUD

Explore the islands, fjords and glaciers of Greenland and Baffin Bay on this Arctic voyage

Experience the far-flung wilderness of Greenland and Baffin Island on this unforgettable Arctic voyage. Led by a team of experts, cruise north of the Arctic Circle to some of the most remote fjords, islands and settlements on Earth. Heading out on regular Zodiac trips, prowl for polar bears on Monumental Island, visit an abandoned whaling station on Kekerten and explore the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, before continuing onto breathtaking Sam Ford Fjord, the Eqip Sermia Glacier and the fishing and hunting community of Itilleq. In the icy reaches of the world’s northern tip, the scenery, wildlife and history are one-of-a-kind. Just like this seaborne adventure.

Canada to Greenland (Sea Adventurer) 2017

Explore the islands, fjords and glaciers of Greenland and Baffin Bay on this Arctic voyage

Experience the far-flung wilderness of Greenland and Baffin Island on this unforgettable Arctic voyage. Led by a team of experts, cruise north of the Arctic Circle to some of the most remote fjords, islands and settlements on Earth. Heading out on regular Zodiac trips, prowl for polar bears on Monumental Island, visit an abandoned whaling station on Kekerten and explore the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, before continuing onto breathtaking Sam Ford Fjord, the Eqip Sermia Glacier and the fishing and hunting community of Itilleq. In the icy reaches of the world’s northern tip, the scenery, wildlife and history are one-of-a-kind. Just like this seaborne adventure.

Why we love this trip

Visit some of the most beautiful and isolated places on the planet, including Sam Ford Fjord, where rocky mountains loom from the sea

Led by a team of experts, get close to a unique array of wildlife – such as walruses, sea birds and perhaps even polar bears – on regular Zodiac trips

Mingle with welcoming locals in far-flung Greenlandic and Inuit communities. Learn how humans have used hunting and fishing to survive the extreme climate of the Arctic for so long

Is this trip right for you?

As you’d expect, temperatures in the Arctic are very cold. A warm parka will be provided along with waterproof boots and unlimited hot drinks, but you should also bring base layers and lots of warm clothing. Please see the trip notes for further important information about what to bring.

Weather depending, you will be making regular excursions in a Zodiac boat to explore the local area and look for wildlife. It can get very cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and that you keep your camera safe and dry. Sturdy sea legs are needed as you make wet and dry landings from the boat, and on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. Some ships have a lot of stairs, so please hold on to the handrails if seas are rough.

The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned for. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially to such a remote area.

Polar bears are one of the most incredible and appealing animals on the planet, but they are also powerful predators with little fear of humans. Therefore it’s necessary to be aware of the guidelines surrounding any contact with Polar bears. Follow your leader’s instructions and do not stray from your group – your leader carries equipment to protect you.

Gallery

Itinerary

Welcome to Ottawa, where your Arctic adventure begins. Arrive into the city any time today, and independently transfer to the group hotel (accommodation for the night is included). On arrival at the hotel, you'll receive a welcome letter outlining the departure information for the following day’s flight. An agent will be available in the lobby to answer any questions you may have.

There’s plenty to see and do if you arrive early into Canada's capital. Browse the artwork in the beautiful National Gallery of Canada, take a stroll along Rideau Canal or soak up the buzzy atmosphere of ByWard Market.

Notes: If you arrive earlier or wish to extend your stay and need accommodation, please ask Intrepid or your agent for details and costs.

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information

No arrival transfer is included. Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Full details of the hotel will be provided in your final documentation. You can arrive at any time on Day 1. A Quark representative will be in the hotel lobby in the evening to provide information on the arrangements for the following day.

After breakfast today, the group will take a transfer to the airport and board a charter flight to Iqaluit, the territorial capital of Nunavut. Although the flight time will be communicated to you on Day 1 when you arrive at the hotel, weather conditions can sometimes lead to a change in the schedule. Please be ready to depart the hotel at any time.

It's important to note that on the flight to Iqaluit, there's a strict luggage limit: 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of checked luggage and five kilograms (11 pounds) of cabin baggage. Should you have additional luggage, it can be stored at the hotel in Ottawa (you can't take it with you on the plane).

On arrival into Iqaluit, a Zodiac boat will transfer you to the ship. The tides here are the second highest in Canada, rising up to 12 metres (39 feet) two times a day. Once on board, get settled and meet your Expedition Team, captain and crew.

Meals Included

Off the southern coast of Baffin Island, this small, isolated island is completely uninhabited, except for the Arctic animals that call it home. In the company of your experienced expedition staff, explore the rugged shoreline in a Zodiac, scouting for hauled-out walruses and polar bears prowling for food.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

The following optional activities are available on some or all of this trip's departures. Please note that they must be booked in advance (additional costs may apply), and that space is limited.

KAYAKING
Taken in small groups of maximum 16 people, multiple times per voyage, kayaking adventures are only conducted during calm weather conditions. Travellers with all levels of kayaking experience can take part, however if you are a novice, please take an introductory course prior to the voyage (and make sure it covers how to do a wet exit). Even if you do have some experience, we recommend doing some pre-trip practice, so you're comfortable out on the icy waters.

HIKING
Hiking is a great way to appreciate the immense windswept landscapes of the Arctic. The tundra comes alive with colourful shrubbery during the brief Arctic summer. Whether you're exploring communities, glacial shorelines or animal habitats, each hike is different. Your Expedition Team will advise you as to the difficulty levels of each optional hike when you're there.

Meals Included

Today you'll cross the Arctic Circle. Disembark at uninhabited Kekerten Island and wander around the historical remains of a whaling station. This National Historic Site of Canada was charted by Scottish whaler Captain William Penny in 1840, and soon became a major whaling destination. The site was abandoned in 1926, after whaling declined and local Inuit families moved to the mainland community of Pangnirtung.

As you cruise towards picturesque Pangnirtung, you’ll see why this Inuit hamlet at the mouth of the Pangnirtung Fjord is often called the Switzerland of the Arctic. Tucked beneath the snow-capped peaks of Mount Duval, Pang is also a renowned artists’ haven. Stop by the studio at the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts to view the traditional tapestries that have attracted worldwide attention for decades. Here, you’ll also get a sense of local Inuit activities, such as sealing, fishing and hunting.

Meals Included

As the ship steams briefly south, enjoy views of the southern coast of Baffin Island. Today will be spent at sea, so rug up and join the expedition staff on deck as they keep a look out for birds and whales. This is the perfect chance to relax with a glass of wine or hot tea and take in the wondrous beauty around you.

Meals Included

Situated about 450 kilometres (380 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, Sam Ford Fjord is one of the most isolated places on the planet. Even so, this little-explored part of Baffin Island is one of the world’s best big-wall playgrounds, attracting adventurous climbers eager to scale the sheer rock faces shooting straight out of the sea. Make sure you have your camera ready!

Tonight, bid farewell to the Canadian shoreline as you traverse Baffin Bay. Your expedition staff will preview the excitement to come in Greenland.

Meals Included

In the morning, visit the abandoned settlement of Qilaqitsoq, where a ghoulish discovery was made in 1972: the two graves of eight fully dressed mummies, thought to have drowned circa 1475. The remains of three women and a child are kept at the Greenland National Historic Museum in Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital.

Make sure you're out on deck as we approach the town of Uummannaq. Colourful houses perch beneath the heart-shaped mountain which gives the community its name. Founded as a Danish colony in 1758 on the Nuussuaq mainland, five years later the settlement moved here, where seal hunting was more plentiful. A hike up the gently sloping hill next to the town yields panoramic views of icebergs and mountains.

Meals Included

Today, sail to one of the most breathtaking sights in Greenland: the Eqip Sermia Glacier. Staying at a safe distance, listen to the roar of ice calving into the sea as you round the front of the glacier.

Meals Included

Have your camera out as you approach Ilulissat. The nearby Ilulissat Icefjord has fascinated scientists for over 250 years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site forms the sea mouth of the Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier), the fastest-moving glacier in the world, which produces at least ten percent of all of Greenland’s calf ice. In fact, the young icebergs you see here will eventually end up off the coast of Newfoundland. While exploring this natural phenomenon you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of glaciers and ice caps.

Meals Included

Surrounded by sea, fjords and mountains, the picturesque village of Itilleq is situated on an island with no freshwater source (a local facility desalinates seawater for drinking). The community, whose main trade is fishing and hunting, will welcome us and show us their way of life. You'll even get to join locals in a friendly soccer match!

Meals Included

Disembark today in Kangerlussuaq, a former U.S. military base. Your ship is scheduled to arrive at the pier between 7 and 8 am local time. After breakfast, and once the ship has docked, you'll have time to bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing disembarkation. The whole process takes about an hour, after which you'll transfer to the airport for the return charter flight to Ottawa. Spend the final night back in Canada's capital (the hotel is included).

Meals Included

Today, your Arctic adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Make your way to Ottawa's airport or spend a relaxing day exploring in the city.

Please note that weather conditions may delay our arrival, and airline schedule changes have also been known to occur. Booking flexible tickets is always encouraged, as we cannot be held responsible for delays due to unforeseen circumstances.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Special Information

You are free to depart at anytime today. Please note that no airport departure transfer is included.

Included Activities

Meals

12 breakfasts,
9 lunches,
10 dinners

Transport

Ship,
Zodiac,
Plane

Accommodation

Cruise ship (10 nights),
Hotel (2 nights)

Meals

12 breakfasts,
9 lunches,
10 dinners

Transport

Ship,
Zodiac,
Plane

Accommodation

Cruise ship (10 nights),
Hotel (2 nights)

Days

13

Price from

$11,400AUD

Explore the islands, fjords and glaciers of Greenland and Baffin Bay on this Arctic voyage

Experience the far-flung wilderness of Greenland and Baffin Island on this unforgettable Arctic voyage. Led by a team of experts, cruise north of the Arctic Circle to some of the most remote fjords, islands and settlements on Earth. Heading out on regular Zodiac trips, prowl for polar bears on Monumental Island, visit an abandoned whaling station on Kekerten and explore the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, before continuing onto breathtaking Sam Ford Fjord, the Eqip Sermia Glacier and the fishing and hunting community of Itilleq. In the icy reaches of the world’s northern tip, the scenery, wildlife and history are one-of-a-kind. Just like this seaborne adventure.

Next trip departures

Jump to a departure month

Your Sea Adventurer ship

Important notes

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Arctic and Antarctic bookings have an increased deposit requirement of 20% of the full voyage cost (before any discount). The balance is due 120 days before departure.

If a booking is cancelled 120 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.

If a booking is cancelled between 119 days and departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.

Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a Polar voyage.

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Kayaking is available to book on all Arctic voyages except on Icebreakers. Kayaking must be booked prior to departure and incurs an additional cost. Spaces are limited so please enquire at time of booking. Some previous, recent experience is essential. Snowshoeing and hiking is also offered on some itineraries. These activities are at no additional cost and do not need to be pre-booked. See the itinerary for Adventure options available on this voyage.

Your voyage is operated by our sister company, Quark Expeditions. All accommodation and transfer arrangements as listed in the itinerary are also operated by Quark Expeditions or their local representatives.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.